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July 13 Stage 11: Blaye-les-Mines to Lavaur, 167.5km (104 miles)

Despite this stage coming halfway through the Tour on a course through the hilly Tarn-et-Garonne area, between the Massif Central and the Pyrénées, it’s made for sprinters. Both the intermediate sprint at Gaillac (85km) and the finish at Lavaur two hours later are on straight, wide streets after long downhill runs.THE SCOOP: After this one, only two other stages give sprinters a chance of winning (at Montpellier in four days’ time and in Paris), so expect Cavendish, Farrar and Petacchi to be battling for the green jersey points in Gaillac and the stage win in Lavaur.OVERALL RATING: *